[e-drug] Non-prescription sale of antibiotics (10)

["lmukura" <lmukura@cham.org.mw>]

E-DRUG: Non-prescription sale of antibiotics (10)
---------------------------------------
[See moderator's comments below.  BS]

Dear E-druggers,

I want to have more examples of countries that allow, by law, pharmacists to
dispense antibiotics without a prescription and explore the basis for doing
that. I know in most African countries, a pharmacist is not allowed to
dispense an antibiotic without a prescription. Is it because the pharmacy
degree, in Thailand for example (CLASS 1), offers more clinical or case
management courses? What sort of procedures do they do before dispensing an
antibiotic?

Maybe this will be more important in countries where there is severe
shortage of doctors and nurses and clinical officers prescribe antibiotics!
I do not see why a pharmacist can be denied to dispense an antibiotic
without a prescription in a country where nurses can prescribe unlimitedly
antibiotics and other drugs, most of them without any laboratory test done!
Who is more knowledgeable in this area? THIS IS DEBATABLE!

Best wishes,

Langton Mukura
Pharmacist, B. Pharm Hons, mps
Christian Health Association of Malawi
P.O. Box 30378
Lilongwe 3
Malawi
Phone: +265-1-775 180
Mobile: +265-9-745 015
Email: lmukura@cham.org.mw
           langtonmk@yahoo.co.uk
[In countries with Standard Treatment Guidelines, there will be step-wise recommendations for treatment.  The levels of treatment will be matched in the Essential Medicines List by a symbol after each drug indicating the level at which it may be used. 

In line with your example of professional staff shortages the treatment guidelines can specify that certain drugs (prescription only in developed countries), including certain antibiotics can be prescribed under particular conditions, for example at a remote clinic or pharmacy level by a suitably qualified staff member.  Supervision and followup of this system is needed to ensure that the treatment guidelines are followed. My suggestion for Malawi and other similar settings  is to activate your National Therapeutics Committee if it is not already active, and revise and promote the use of Standard Treatment Guidelines.  BS]